Great news for boaters wanting to expand their nautical know how, the Seattle Boat Show is back to its pre-pandemic formula of three stages for the free in-person boating and fishing seminars.

There will be 124 in person seminars (92 boating, 32 fishing) to choose from in 2024 — 44% more than 2023 — covering everything from boating safety, fishing techniques, navigation, cruising, the latest innovations, technology, and more, and a number of new topics and presenters. More in-depth boating courses for a fee are available through Boat Show University. And of course, the show is the place to shop for new and brokerage boats or for the latest in accessories and technology.

The show will once again have two locations, indoors at Lumen Field and on the water at the Port of Seattle’s Bell Harbor Marina, and runs from Friday, Feb. 2 through Saturday,  Feb. 10 2024. A free shuttle will continuously operate between both show locations.

A selection of the 29 NEW free boating and fishing seminars includes: 

• Bluewater Adventures: 3 Boats and 30 Lessons Learned
• Couples Fishing Therapy: How to Create a Winning Fishing Experience for Couples
• Cruising Isn’t My Partner’s Dream: What Now?
• Digging Deep: How to Get Started Targeting Razor Clams 
• Docking: Two People, One Line, Any Conditions, Full Control
• Electronic Charts: Important and New Information You Need to Know
• Getting Your Boat Ready for the Season
• Managing Your Boat’s Aging Electrical System
• NW Cruising for Newbies
• The One BIG Secret for a Safe Day/Week/Year on the Water
• Wild Places: Big Adventures in Small Boats
• And much more…

The panel presentations are always extremely popular as they are a way to get multiple perspectives from experts with a variety of experiences. There are 4 2-hour panels for 2024:

• Offshore Cruising 
• Reel Women Fish: Women’s Salmon Fishing Workshop
• Becoming a Sailor: All-Woman panel
• Insider’s Guide to Buying Your Next Boat

Boat Show University (BSU)

Boat Show University provides the opportunity for new boaters and experienced boaters alike to learn valuable skills, new regulations, new innovations, and boating know-how in the Pacific Northwest. In-depth BSU classes organized by Waggoner Media can be purchased as individual or full-day classes (and include same-day show admission), or as a full-access discounted pass that includes all 18 BSU Classes with daily show admission for a fully immersive experience. 

NEW for 2024, two of BSU’s most popular presenters, Mike Beemer and Nigel Calder will present Cruising Destinations, Sea Stories, Tips, & Tricks drawing on their combined decades of experience on the water. They’ll be sharing what they consider ‘must haves’ for cruising and some things that every boater should be doing to make their experience on the water the best it can be. 

Returning and ever-popular BSU instructors include Linda Lewis, John Neal, Mark Bunzel, Lorena and Leonard Landon and more, with classes on: NW destinations planning and Itineraries; mechanical systems; skills, tips, techniques and tools; and classes by women for women.

Also NEW for 2024 is the BSU Experts Reception which will be held every evening except Monday, from 4pm – 6pm in the new Seahawks Tunnel Club. The team at Waggoner Cruising Guide will feature an expert guest every evening.  All show attendees are welcome, but BSU tickets include the added bonus of a Tunnel Club drink voucher (one per day). Drink service ends one hour before the show closes.

Check out  www.SeattleBoatShow.com for the full schedule of free boating and fishing seminars and BSU classes. It is sortable by keywords, seminar and class descriptions, and presenter biographies.

Tickets:              

Adult Ticket – $20.00 online and $22 at the box office at Lumen Field or Bell Harbor Marina

9-Day Pass – $40.00 online and $42 at the box office at Lumen Field or Bell Harbor Marina

Kids 17 & Under – Free

Boat Show University (BSU tickets must be purchased in advance online.)

• $39: Includes a specific 90-minute class, same day admission to show, one Tunnel Club drink voucher.
• $99:  Includes a specific 6-hour class, same day admission to the show, one Tunnel Club drink voucher.
• $249: Includes admission to all classes, nine days of admission to the show, nine Tunnel Club drink vouchers, and access to all 2024 Boat Show recordings online after the close of the show on February 10.